Politics is boring so just sit it out

At a recent dinner banquet, conversation turned toward politics. A subtle and immediate change swept over the attendees, some warming to the prospect while others shifted uncomfortably in their chairs. The U.S. Congressional District 1 seat, up for grabs in a special election, was the initial topic that spurred a kind of straw poll among diners.

“I don’t know Bostic, but I do know Sanford. So I’ll vote for Sanford.”

“I don’t know Bostic, but I do know Sanford. So I’ll vote for Bostic.”

“I know very little about Bostic or Sanford, so I’ll vote for Colbert Busch.”

“I don’t know anything about the candidates. I’m not political.”

This latter non-opinion was offered by a young man whose 2-year-old son was playing nearby with the other kids. Would the vote he so casually dismissed have had any effect on the future of his son? Can a single vote for a primary candidate, or even a Congressional seat make a difference? The Bush v. Gore cliffhanger of 2000 notwithstanding, voting was not his thing.

What might be the reason for consistent low turnouts for local elections? Why do so many Americans shrug off this right (which I believe is a duty) while people of other countries would die for the opportunity? The blue-stained thumbs of Iraqi and Afghan voters were earned at high risk to themselves and their families. Our thumbs are twiddling.

Can an American say they “aren’t political?” Perhaps it would be more correct to just admit they’re uninformed and not engaged.

“I don’t participate in the voting process because I don’t watch the news, don’t read the newspapers, don’t follow it online and don’t know anything about what’s going on. Someone else can decide since I really don’t care.” Now that’s non-political. And unpatriotic. Fine: I’ll be the one to decide.

Democrats were disgruntled by the 2000 presidential vote, as were Republicans with the 2012 vote. Yet much of policy comes down to who controls Congress, not who occupies the White House. And policy controls life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Ironically, most adults have formed some opinion on the major issues of the day. Each has at least thought about their stance, even if in a round about way, on things like abortion, gun control, taxes and immigration. Life experience drives opinion. If you haven’t already, you will indeed form an opinion about abortion if your teenage daughter announces she’s pregnant. If you or a family member is seriously injured during an assault while on vacation, you will examine your views on gun control and concealed carry. If your business cannot survive because the competition is run with illegal immigrants, you will be forced to weigh in on immigration. If you lose your job because your employer cannot afford to pay the mandatory benefits, you will suddenly wonder what Obamacare is all about.

Candidates for office at the local and state levels all have opinions of their own on these very same issues.

This week I voted for my guy. I’ll vote again May 7. If you can’t make it, don’t worry — I’ve got it covered for us both.